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Pokémon Go 101: Understanding the Basics

Pokémon Go is all the rage these days and while thousands of people are playing it and running around catching Pikachus and finding PokeStops, there are thousands who are clueless about this game and have no idea what it’s all about.

Pokémon Go is not like any other video game that has ever been released. It uses augmented reality and you’ll need to be very active in order to do well in the game. Most video games require you to sit in some fixed spot and play the same scenarios over and over till your skills get good enough for you to make it to the next level.

With Pokémon Go, you will not be sitting in any one spot for long. You’ll need to walk around and follow your map as you look for Pikachus to capture, wild creatures to battle or Gyms to dominate.

Like most computer games, Pokémon Go is repetitive too but you don’t feel it because of the fantasy this game creates. You are actually a part of the game and in a way, it plays you just as much as you play it.

Your surroundings are all potential places where you could find these adorable creatures. Everything seems more exciting. We live in a world where most people constantly have their noses buried in their smartphones.

Pokémon Go is a free app that is installed on these phones and just about anyone can play it. You don’t need to buy any bulky game consoles or software to enjoy this game.

While Pokémon Go is so popular, it is a basic game and in no way matches the complexity and depth in games such as Assassin’s Creed or Fallout 4. However, it’s this basic nature that makes it so popular and appealing to so many people.

Pokémon Go is all about surprise, adventure, fantasy and accomplishment. You feel like a modern day Indiana Jones as you go about exploring for Pikachus and throwing PokeBalls.

Here are a few very common Pokémon Go terms you should know.

Combat Power (CP)

This refers to the strength of a Pokémon when it’s in battle with another Pokémon and you should use this to gauge a Pokémon’s attack strength.

Eggs

Like the name suggests, these eggs will hatch into Pokémon. You can find these eggs at poke stops. You’ll need to walk or cover a certain distance before the egg incubates and hatches.

Defender Bonus

This is your reward when you defend a gym successfully against attacks. The rewards can be converted into Stardust and PokeCoins which you can claim at the virtual shop within the game.

Battle

This is what happens when your Pokémon fights with a wild creature in the game. It’s also used to challenge rivals or even fight Pokémon that are friendly. Battles can only take place at gyms.

In the event you approach a rival gym, you have the opportunity to battle with the team running the gym and you can claim it for yourself if you win.
During battle, each time you defeat a Pokémon, the Gym’s Prestige level drops. Once it reaches zero, you’ve won and the Gym is yours.

Gyms

These are specific places for you to go and fight with rival Pokémon teams. You can even train your Pokémon by battling at gyms where your team members have assigned their own Pokemons.

Friendly Gyms are ones that belong to your team. Rival Gyms are gyms owned by other teams and Open Gyms have not been claimed by anybody yet.

Wild Pokémon

These are Pokémon running loose that have not been captured.

Candy

These are used to make your Pokémon stronger and help you evolve through the game. You’ll get these candies when you transfer your Pokémon to Professor Willow whom you met at the beginning of the game.

Lucky Egg

These eggs will double the XP that you accrue for 30 minutes for all the actions you undertake. You can either get Lucky Eggs when you reach a new level or you can buy your Lucky Eggs at the shop

Evolution

This refers to your Pokémon’s levels increasing as it becomes stronger and a highly evolved, advanced species.

Experience Points (XP)

As you progress through the game, the Poké-venture will track your progress and you’ll advance further in the game. If you increase your XP, you can reach Trainer levels that are much more beneficial.

Hit Points (HP)

This is a measure of your Pokémon’s health. When it reaches zero, the Pokémon faints.

Fainted Pokémon

This happens when your Pokémon has no more Hit Points, also known as HP. You can fix this problem by using Revive or Max Revive to wake up your poor fainted Pokémon and get it back in action.

Incubator

This is where you place your egg so that it hatches while you walk. Once you upgrade you incubators, you’ll need to cover less distance to hatch the eggs.

Incense

You use incense to lure the wild Pokémon to where you are. You get 2 incense at the start of the game and you need to buy them after that for 80 PokeCoins.

Lure Module

This is a stronger method of luring the Pokémon. When you use a Lure Module, all players in the vicinity will be able to see it and grab the opportunity to capture wild Pokémon even they’re not the one who set it up.

Medals

You be awarded medals as you progress though the game and meet certain objectives. Examples of awards are Breeder, Kanto, Battle Girl, Backpacker, Ace Trainer, etc.

PokeBalls

You use these to capture the wild Pokémon that’s running around. You can either get these at the PokeStops or you can buy them from the shop. There are different types of PokeBalls which have better performance and increase your chances of catching the wild Pokémon.
You want to look out for Ultra Balls, Great Balls and Master Balls.

PokéCoins

This is the currency in the Pokémon Go game and you can exchange the PokeCoins for useful items that you find in the shop. You can also buy Poké Coins from the shop.

Pokédex

This is where you will be given instructions and information about the Pokémon Go game and the types of Pokémon you’ve captured.

PokeStop

These are specific locations that contain items such as potions, eggs, PokeBalls, etc. All you’ll need to do is find the PokeStop, touch it and spin the photo disc to collect your items. Do note that the PokeStop will change shape as you get nearer to it.

Potions

These are very effective for healing Pokemons with low HP. Use them and you can restore your Pokémon’s Hit Points so that they can engage in battle again.

Power-Up

This is a term used to describe increasing your Pokémon’s HP and CP.

Prestige

This is a measurement of a Gym’s standing in terms of how well it was able to defend itself against rivals.

Razz Berry

You use these to feed wild Pokémon so that you can capture them more easily. You can’t buy these Razz Berries and can only get them at PokeStops.

Stardust

This is used to increase your Pokémon’s power and you get it by incubating and hatching eggs.

Training

This is when your Pokémon battles with fellow members’ Pokémon and your experience points and the Gym’s Prestige goes up.

Trainer

These are people just like you who play the Pokémon Go game and enjoy all the adventure and battle that come with it.
Now that you know most of the terms used in this game, you’ll be better equipped to play it well and succeed.